The first year that La traviata played to audiences in , Verdi was able to pull off a great feat. The Italian composer had manipulated a mid-nineteenth century European audience into sympathizing with Violettaโa woman who, despite being a member of high society, was a sex workerโa person who made a living through transactional relationships with wealthy men.
Now, years laterโthe oppressive structures governing women and femmes are still in play. For Briq House and Moonyeka, sex is not simply about personal joy though it is definitely about that.
Human sexuality is a vehicle for healing, community-building, artistic expression, and more. In May , the two artists and community leaders sat down with Gabrielle Nomura Gainor to record a new episode for the Seattle Opera Podcast. Listen to the podcast or find it on your favorite podcast distributor.
Moonyeka is a nonbinary Filipinx shapeshifter and interdisciplinary artist; their sensual offerings span stages and queer clubs. Episode host Gabrielle is an Asian American activist, dance artist, and storyteller who was previously on the Seattle Opera staff for eight years. The conversation touched on collective care for sex workersโincluding the need for affordable housing, as well as destigmatizing sex work, so that sex workers are better able to handle their money, access health care, and move through the world without fear for their safety or being denied basic services.
Sex workers need to be seen as full human beings. Why are sex workers so frequently portrayed as downtrodden individuals who suffer? They create performance offerings that revolve around joy. Sex work is not the same thing as involuntary sex work.
